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Liz Weston

Q&A: Paying down your mortgage

February 8, 2021 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: You’re not a fan of prepaying student loans in most cases because the extra money sent to lenders is “gone for good” — it’s not like credit cards, where paying down a balance can free up some of the credit line to be used again. But what’s wrong with paying down a primary mortgage? That can create more equity that people could borrow against.

Answer: Perhaps. To tap that equity without selling the home, though, you need a lender’s cooperation, which isn’t always forthcoming when you’re experiencing a financial emergency. If you lose your job, for example, a lender may be reluctant to offer you a cash-out refinance or allow you to establish or expand a home equity line of credit.

Contrast that with paying down a credit card, which typically opens up available credit as soon as the transaction is processed. That’s not guaranteed, of course, because lenders can lower credit limits or even close accounts if your credit scores drop or if bad economic times make lenders more cautious. But for the most part, credit cards are a much more flexible and accessible source of credit than mortgages.

That’s not to say you should never make extra payments on a mortgage. If you’re on track with saving for retirement, you’ve paid off higher rate debt and you have a sufficient emergency fund, then prepaying a mortgage can make sense.

Filed Under: Q&A Tagged With: mortgage payments vs student loan payments, q&a

Q&A: How to find an accountant and a financial planner

February 8, 2021 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: Can you offer advice on finding the right accountant for someone doing taxes for the first time after divorce? My husband always handled this. Also, same question for a financial planner for a newly divorced person? It’s all so overwhelming.

Answer: It is, and you’re smart to reach out for help.

You might consider hiring a personal financial specialist. This is a designation earned by CPAs who handle not just taxes but financial planning as well.

A CPA-PFS is a fiduciary, which means they’re committed to putting your best interests first. Also, many are working virtually now because of the pandemic, so you should be able to find several candidates to interview even if you live in a more remote area. You can start your search at the website of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Filed Under: Banking, Q&A Tagged With: accountant, financial planner, q&a

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

February 4, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to prioritize debt payments in the pandemic. Also in the news: The fairness of airline fees, the influence of 2020 on investing, and how to avoid paying certain car dealership fees.

How to Prioritize Debt Payments in the Pandemic
The rules have changed.

Ask a Travel Nerd: Are Airline Fees Fair?
The process of buying a plane ticket can be misleading because you aren’t shown all of the fees upfront.

Will 2020 Make Us More Empathetic Investors?
Investment dollars can make an impact, so be sure your impact is a good one.

Avoid Paying These Car Dealership Fees
Know which fees you have to pay, which ones you can negotiate, and which ones you can avoid altogether.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: airline fees, car dealership fees, debt, empathy, Investing, pandemic

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

February 3, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 6 rules for first-time car buyers. Also in the news: Buzzy banking apps for kids and teens, getting your bank accounts in order for 2021, and knowing your COVID mortgage forbearance rights.

6 Rules for First-Time Car Buyers
Break it down into an orderly process: budgeting, financing, choosing a car and then negotiating a clean deal.

Buzzy Banking Apps for Kids and Teens
Developing good money habits early.

Get Your Bank Accounts in Order With These 2021 Resolutions
Streamlining for the new year.

Know Your COVID Mortgage Forbearance Rights
How to report an unscrupulous lender.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: banking, banking apps for kids, car buyers, COVID mortgage forbearance rights, first-time car buyers

How to prioritize debt payments in the pandemic

February 3, 2021 By Liz Weston

A singular crisis has led to extraordinary relief options for borrowers. Interest and payments have been paused on federal student loans. Homeowners can request nearly a year of mortgage forbearance. Credit card issuers and other lenders dramatically expanded hardship programs.

Still, many Americans say they took on more debt last year because of the pandemic, according to NerdWallet’s household debt survey.

If you are one of them, or if you have other household debt that’s been put on hold, you may not want to rush to pay that money back even if you can. In my latest for the Associated Press, how to be strategic when dealing with pandemic-related and other debt.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: consumer debt, debt, pandemic

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

February 2, 2021 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: 3 things to know if you’re new to gig work. Also in the news: How to craft smarter money goals in 2021, the do’s and don’ts of getting and using a paycheck protection program loan, and 5 steps you can take to pay off consumer debt.

3 Things to Know if You’re New to Gig Work
To the IRS, you’re a small business.

How to Craft Smarter Money Goals in 2021
The pandemic has changed everything.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting, Using a Paycheck Protection Program Loan
Best practices that can help small businesses owners get their PPP loan funded and forgiven.

5 steps you can take to pay off consumer debt
Creating the right plan.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: consumer debt, debt, gig work, money goals, pandemic, paycheck protection program loan, tips

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